FunTechBlog

3D printing is set to be the 2nd industrial revolution

Your child could be at the forefront of change

3D printing has been around since the late 1980s, but even 10 years ago it wasn’t very well known. Thanks to recent advances in technology, it’s rapidly become a common sight in the public eye. Now, it’s featured across the media seemingly every day.

In fact, this progress has been so swift and dramatic that 3D printing is now being widely used in many various manufacturing sectors. You can even buy 3D printers to use at home.

This burgeoning industry is, according to Wohlers Report 2018, worth over $7 Billion*, and is set to increase every year! New Scientist hasreferred to 3D printing as the second industrial revolution.**

3D printed model produced at our tech camp in Richmond, 2016

Future opportunities for today’s children

There are, and will continue to be, massive opportunities in the 3D printing sector. Employers are searching high and low for workers with talents in scientific, engineering, software development and other technical fields.

This can be a great topic for parents to encourage with their children. It could end up being a new passion that they develop into a career opportunity.

But what exactly is 3D printing? Is it something that children can learn? What do people need to know about it?

Think your child might have questions on this exciting new industry? We know our students have. We’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions and facts about 3D printing, and asked our tutors to give us their view. If you and your child would like to get a head-start with 3D printing, read on!

Arran at our 2016 tech camp using Blender software to create his model

What is 3D printing and how does it work?

You’re probably familiar with 2D printing – on paper, with ink. 3D printing is sort of like that. It’s the process of “printing out” three dimensional, solid objects from a digital schematic held on a computer. The object is built up layer by layer by a precise nozzle. The printer is loaded with material (usually biodegradable plastic) that is quickly heated, extruded and cooled. Each layer is a thinly sliced cross-section of the final product.

It’s virtually the opposite of traditional subtractive manufacturing. Instead of an object being cut or hollowed out from a material, it’s built up with much less waste. 3D printing lets designers, manufacturers and home users produce objects using less material than they would need with other methods.

If you want your child to become one of the pioneers in the second industrial revolution, 3D printing and modelling is worth a look!

How can this help people?

3D printing is set to save lives in the future of course, but it’s already being used to great result in the medical field!

It’s been used to create prosthetics, heart valves, ear cartilage, anatomical models for surgery preparation, and as an aid in brain surgery and kidney transplants.

Future possibilities are already underway. There is currently research being done into creating 3D printed blood vessels which could revolutionise operations. Other proposed uses for the technology are bioprinted organs, personalised doses for drug manufacturing, and strips of tissue for medical testing.

A fun character created by one of our campers (in just one week)!

How can 3D printing be used in education?

Currently not many schools are using or teaching 3D printing, but that’s set to change over the next few years.

The areas of education that 3D printing could benefit include the following, some of which are already being used in schools and colleges***:

How 3D printing is revolutionising the housing industry:

In March 2017, a house was 3D printed in just one day.**** Obviously, it was a larger and more complex 3D printer than the ones you can use in your home or school, but the premise was exactly the same.

3D printing will have a huge part in urban development for future generations.

Picture this: you decide where you want to build your house. You get the large 3D printer to come to the site. Your home is ready in around 24 hours! No more months of construction time.

Today, many are without proper shelter. With 3D printing, maybe someday we’ll be able to build homes for everyone.

Trainer using 3D printing technology

How 3D printing is used in the fashion industry:

3D printing is already being used extensively in fashion.Designers can bring ideas to life with jewellery, printed shoes and other accessories faster than they ever could before. It’s given fashion and clothes designers the freedom to create any type of shape, no matter how complex!

How 3D printing will change manufacturing:

The most common mass application of 3D printing is manufacturing. It’s already being experimented with, but there’s no doubt that further advancements will radically change how we view the design to production process.

What can 3D printing do in the future?

It may not be the answer to all of our problems, but as you can see 3D printing is set to break down a lot of our current day barriers. From medical science, to the automotive industry, to custom consumer product development, progress is happening all over the place.

3D printing will continue to change the world. In the not-so-distant future, life expectancy will improve, processes will become more efficient, and new uses we haven’t even dreamed of will come to fruition.

What do you think your child might do with 3D printing in the future?

3D printing for kids as a summer activity

At FunTech we believe in giving children as much opportunity as possible for the future. It’s important to equip children with skills to help them achieve, and 3D modelling and printing is one such topic we cover at our summer camps. Over the summer holidays we run weekly 3D printing camps for kids aged 10 to 14, in various locations across London and the south of England. You can drop your child off at 9 in the morning, knowing that they’re going to have fun in a safe environment.

Our camps combine learning with exciting, engaging experiences. It’s not like the stuffy science labs with out of date equipment you might remember from school. After all, fun’s in our name!

By applying industry standard techniques, from 3D extrusion modelling to 3D digital sculpting, your child will transform a simple geometric cube into a model created by their imagination. They’ll also learn tips, techniques and associated best practice by experimenting with 3D printers under the supervision and guidance of our expert tutors.

If your child has a passion for art or science, then 3D printing is an excellent choice. Not just as a way to keep them entertained over the summer months, but as a possible route into their future prospects. You’d be amazed at some of the ideas that our students have come up with!